Ironically, Virginia Tech Needs an Old Dominion Win Monday Night

by furrer4heisman on Mar 7, 2011 8:00 AM EST in Virginia Tech Basketball

Hey, remember that team we refuse to play because it doesn't help us grow our brand? Well, we would really appreciate it if it won Monday night in the CAA tournament final.

You see, Old Dominion has probably already punched its ticket to the NCAA Tournament by doing things like not getting swept by UVa or not losing to consecutive bubble teams by a combined 24 points. So if Virginia Commonwealth, a team most bracketologists consider on the outside looking in, beats the Monarchs, that's one at-large bid less that's available to the Hokies.

Should the Rams earn the CAA's automatic bid with a win over ODU at 7 p.m. EST Monday on ESPN, the conference will likely get three NCAA Tournament bids in VCU, ODU and George Mason, which lost to VCU Sunday in the tournament semifinals.

The CAA automatic bid will be one of many the Hokies will be counting during Championship Week. Tech would also appreciate it if St. Mary's won the West Coast tournament and if Butler won the Horizon League. It's all a part of life on the bubble. Sometimes you have to root for teams you don't particularly like or won't grow your brand to do you a favor and help get you into the tournament.

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I'm pulling for ODU, but...

if the Hokies do not make the tournament this year, it’s not a tragedy. They simply have not done enough to justify an at large bid. I’ll love them till I die, but really…these guys had their chances and blew it. Let’s look:

1. Choked out in CA against UNLV
2. Choked at Home against Purdue.
3. Blew a 15 pt lead on the road at Chapel Hill against what is turning out to be a pretty spiffy looking Tar Heel team.
4. Ugly loss in Atlanta to GA Tech
5. SWEPT, that’s right, SWEPT by UVa. No excuse for that.
6. Swept by Boston College; that Senior Night curb stomp was inexcusable. No effort at all.
7. Loss at Clemson, again, poor team effort. Is Malcolm Delaney ill or something?

Let’s look at the good,
1. Swept Maryland. Well, three years ago this would have looked pretty good on the resume anyway.
2. Beat Oklahoma State. Of course they’re worse off than the Hokies are right now.
3. Beat Duke at home. Of course this same Duke team since then – ESCAPED Clemson at home, and then got beat down pretty good in Chapel Hill on Sat.. Coach K has got to be worried about the direction his team is moving in right now.

Last year, I was a little upset at the selection committee. This year, not so much. The Hokies would have to play their way into the ACC Tourney Champ game to convince me at this point that they are worthy. After that Duke win, their path was clear, and they blew it. I really have to question their intensity and focus at this point. For that I fault the coaching more than anything. Particularly defensive coaching.

by Leonard Thompson on Mar 7, 2011 9:08 AM EST reply actions

Killed by Kansas State…before they were actually any good.

"When I put on my uniform, I feel I am the proudest man on earth."
-Roberto

by blackjackfishtaco on Mar 7, 2011 9:35 AM EST up reply actions

yeah, but...

a) we were a very different team back then ourselves. If Seth had decided to sit Hudson earlier, that would have helped, but I think we would have still lost because b) the refs were TERRIBLE in a way that played to KSUs strengths and our weaknesses. There was no way we were winning that game with those refs.

by hokiegrad on Mar 7, 2011 12:54 PM EST up reply actions

haha, by your review

It’s a tragedy if we DO make the tournament…. which i think it would be – we’d have to be one of the worst teams ever to get in if we make it. the bubble has been HORRIBLE these last few years — they shoulda thought about contracting to 32 instead of expanding to 68!

And that CAA game should be an entertaining one…… both of those teams are a hell of a lot better than VT, Clemson, and BC.

by tulls200 on Mar 7, 2011 1:25 PM EST up reply actions

32.. 68.. 96

And if I remember correctly, last year there were rumors that they were thinking of expanding the field to 96 teams.

by VT1996 on Mar 7, 2011 1:37 PM EST up reply actions

more good than that

Let’s add beating Penn St. and FSU to the good, there… not sure it offsets the bad, but it certainly makes things look a little better.

by hokiegrad on Mar 7, 2011 4:16 PM EST up reply actions

OK...I'll give you FSU...

but not Penn State. They’re worse off than the Hokies. The thing is, the Hokies look worse on paper this year than they have the last three times that they were snubbed.

Like I said if they win 3 games in the ACC Tourney, I say they get in. If they win 2 games, They’re still biting their nails, and if they only win one or none, they ought to start NIT practice.

They have a tough road in the ACC. That Thursday 9:00 pm game is going to be a killer, and I just think these guys do not have enough left in the tank for a good run in ANY tournament.

by Leonard Thompson on Mar 7, 2011 5:14 PM EST up reply actions